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BRTA Fare Free Buses During the Holiday Season

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Regional Transit Authority (BRTA) announced that beginning Nov. 24, 2023, through Dec. 31, 2023, all BRTA bus and ADA complementary services will be free.
 
This is supported by a grant included in the state budget and awarded by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. 
 
The "Try Transit" initiative will be supported by the state grant that was awarded to fourteen of the Commonwealth's Regional Transit Authorities who worked together to submit a joint application and implementation plan. This is the second year this grant was awarded.
 
While the focus is on the free bus rides for the Holiday Season, the BRTA will also go fare-free in June and July of 2024.
 
"Removing the cost of transportation for this 'Try Transit' event provides a great opportunity for anyone interested in learning how to ride the BRTA", said BRTA Administrator Robert Malnati. "Although primarily designed to attract new customers by easing access to services, 'Try Transit' will also offer a financial reprieve for current BRTA riders during these times of high inflation. It is expected that the savings and increased mobility offered by BRTA's services will translate into increased spending at local businesses."
 
 
 
 
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Lanesborough to Vote on 34 Articles at ATM

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Voters will decide 34 warrant articles at the annual town meeting on June 11.

The Select Board endorsed a long list of articles during its regular meeting on Monday, most without discussion. 

A $11,846,607 spending plan has been proposed for fiscal year 2025, a 4.3 percent increase from the this year. The budget includes a net increase of $237,129 in education costs for the Mount Greylock Regional School District and McCann Technical School, less than the $271,478 increase in FY24. 

Three articles are related to short-term rentals, or Airbnbs: To impose a local excise tax of up to 6 percent of the total amount of rent for each occupancy, a 3 percent impact fee on "professionally managed" short-term rentals, and a 3 percent impact fee on short-term rentals in two- or three-family dwellings.

"These are the proposed language as provided by town counsel," Town Administrator Gina Dario explained.

Included in the 34 articles is one citizen's petition, which the board was not required to endorse. If passed, this petition would increase the Select Board from three to five members with an annual election of the chair. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes in that election would serve a three-year term, the candidate receiving the second highest number of votes would serve a two-year term, and the candidate receiving the third highest number of votes would serve a one-year term, with three-year terms to follow.

Two articles needed clearance from the Planning Board before coming to the Select Board, one being a request to amend the town's zoning bylaw to raise the cap on accessory dwelling units from 900 to 2,500 square feet.  

The proposal is in response to the lack of housing availability in the community and is the second go-around.

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